Police investigating a suspected arson attack that killed a woman and her five children have made a direct appeal to an anonymous letter-writer who they believe could hold "key information".
Dr Sabah Usmani and her children – Hira, 12; Sohaib, 11; Muneeb, nine; Rayyan, six; and Maheen, three – died in the fire at their home in Harlow in October 2012.
Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe, leading the Essex Police investigation, said the author of the anonymous handwritten letter to officers "seemed reticent of coming forward but couldn't bear the nightmare of knowing what they knew".
She added: "What I'm appealing for now is for that person to have confidence to come and talk to me – and we are waiting."
[...]
"To that person, I would say you can come forward and you will be treated fairly. What you know could be vital in helping us identify those responsible."
Dr Abdul Shakoor jumped out of an upstairs window to raise the alarm
The BBC understands the letter was sent shortly after the release of a BBC podcast examining the case.
The series, Crime Next Door: Who Killed the Shakoors?, released last May, revisited the investigation and explored unanswered questions surrounding the fire.
www.bbc.co.uk
Dr Sabah Usmani and her children – Hira, 12; Sohaib, 11; Muneeb, nine; Rayyan, six; and Maheen, three – died in the fire at their home in Harlow in October 2012.
Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe, leading the Essex Police investigation, said the author of the anonymous handwritten letter to officers "seemed reticent of coming forward but couldn't bear the nightmare of knowing what they knew".
She added: "What I'm appealing for now is for that person to have confidence to come and talk to me – and we are waiting."
[...]
"To that person, I would say you can come forward and you will be treated fairly. What you know could be vital in helping us identify those responsible."
Dr Abdul Shakoor jumped out of an upstairs window to raise the alarm
The BBC understands the letter was sent shortly after the release of a BBC podcast examining the case.
The series, Crime Next Door: Who Killed the Shakoors?, released last May, revisited the investigation and explored unanswered questions surrounding the fire.
Essex Police appeals to letter-writer in Harlow arson murder case
Police are keen to speak to the writer of an anonymous letter relating to the arson attack.
www.bbc.co.uk
